A local councillor has warmly welcomed a town centre ‘health check’ report that describes Keith as exhibiting “improved signs of vitality and viability”.
The newly published report, which was undertaken in July last year, pointed to a fall in vacancy rates on Mid Street and Regent Street in the Moray town.
A former newsagents at the top of Mid Street is now due to become occupied again by the end of this month while a group of craft producers are set to take a lease on a former sewing machine shop, while redevelopment of the Greigs store is due to begin soon.
Keith & Cullen councillor Gary Coull has pointed to initiatives undertaken since 2012 as being a major factor in the turnaround for Keith, including the launch of the ‘inKeith’ brand with attending website and social media page.
Television advertising and grants from the Keith Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme were also cited as contributing factors as was a pop-up shop on Mid Street and the ‘Scots Toun’ status accorded to the town.
Councillor Coull, who chairs the Keith & Strathisla Regeneration Partnership (KSRP) Marketing Group, said: “This is a positive report on the direction that Keith Town Centre is taking. It is testament to the work that has been put in by community groups, businesses and individuals in promoting Keith Town Centres as a good place to shop and do business in.
“A large number of initiatives and projects have taken place to contribute to the improved signs of vitality and viability. The people of Keith have really stepped up to the plate over the past two years, rallied together to promote the town and show to Moray and beyond that we have a great range of shops and business in our town centres.
“All the work is paying off with very few vacant units now in the town centres with that set to reduce in the coming weeks and months.
“However, this is not the end of that hard work. Everyone in Keith & Strathisla needs to continue to promote the area but this report will give people a further moral boost and the encouragement to carry on the good work.”